Trooper hurt in accident on I-355

An Illlinois state trooper writing a ticket on Interstate Highway 355 near Lombard was injured Thursday afternoon when his squad car was struck from behind while parked on the shoulder, police said.

State police said the officer, identified as Jose Mendez, 43, was involved in a traffic stop when two vehicles coming up behind his collided. One of the vehicles struck Mendez's car, causing the trooper to hit his head, police said.

Mendez called in the accident. He was taken to GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights, where staff said he was in fair condition.

Police said the crash occurred about 4:25 p.m. in the southbound lanes of the highway near North Avenue. Police were still investigating the incident late Thursday.